Elmhurst still debating Hahn Street development

Proposals are to include provision for parking deck

January 15, 2013|By Graydon Megan, Special to the Tribune

Elmhurst City Council members continued this week to fine-tune a document they hope will both draw and guide potential developers for property along Hahn Street at the northern edge of the city's downtown.

The draft request for proposal first reviewed in November calls for street level retail along both York and Hahn streets, backed by residential units in buildings no taller than four stories on both York and Hahn and no taller than three stories north of Hahn on the east side of Addison Avenue.

Proposals are to include provision for a parking deck with a capacity of at least 100 cars plus adequate parking for the development. The 120,000-square-foot property includes lots on both sides of Hahn between York and Addison.

Real estate consultant G. Tracy Cross has told city officials he believes the best market-supported use of the property would be for rental apartments with specialty retail space at street level, but the city's proposal request leaves open the possibility of other types of projects — if they meet the test of "highest and best use" of the site.

City Council members this week said they want to delay final approval of the document until Cross' summary report, due next week, is received and reviewed. They also asked Assistant City Manager Mike Kopp to make minor changes in an evaluation system to be used to score development proposals and to incorporate additional emphasis on "green" components and stress that public space in any proposed project be visible, accessible and inviting.

If the final draft is approved at the Feb. 4 City Council meeting, Kopp said he would begin circulating it to more than two dozen already identified developers.

Beyond the basic elements of any project, Kopp told aldermen Monday the city will be looking for quality architecture including visual interest and high quality design materials and site amenities. New structures are to enhance the historic nature of the city's downtown and complement existing residential land uses on the west side of Addison Avenue.

Submittals are to incorporate the building design guidelines the city adopted as part of its 2006 Downtown Plan.

Proposed projects are to incorporate sustainable elements, efficiency in water and energy use and environmentally friendly construction materials and design concepts. The city is also calling for universal and inclusive design to promote accessibility and accommodate people with disabilities. Proposals that exceed current codes on stormwater management "will be looked upon favorably," according to the draft document.

Submitted proposals are to be evaluated by city staff, the Mayor and City Council in eight categories ranging from economic impact to parking solutions. Projects will be scored on a 100-point scale.

Following public presentations and interviews, applicant teams with the highest scores will be chosen as finalists and asked to provide additional details on their proposals.

Depending on developer responses, the evaluation process could be substantially complete by mid- to late summer, but city officials stressed that the city retains the right to reject any or all proposals and to negotiate terms of a public/private development agreement with any applicant.

"I'm looking forward to getting this project off the ground," Alderman Steve Morley said Monday night.